Summer 2014/Pasadena

OT502

McCrory

OT502: HEBREW PROPHETS (4 Units: 120 hours). Jeff McCrory Jr.

DESCRIPTION: This course provides an overview of the content of the Old Testament Former (Joshua-2 Kings) and Latter (Isaiah-Ezekiel and Hosea-Malachi) Prophets, with emphasis on the Latter Prophets. The approach to address the content is literary and canonical as well as theological and historical. Consideration will be given to the relevance of this portion of the Old Testament to the New Testament for teaching/preaching.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated (1) familiarity with the narrative from Joshua to Kings with regard to God’s presence in human government, politics, and leadership; (2) a knowledge of the major themes and methods of the prophets with regard to addressing diverse societies and individuals in teaching and preaching; (3) an understanding of biblical historical writing informed by and informing current assessments of history writing in our culture; (4) knowledge and practice of a method for moving from text to context in the whole Bible to application in preaching and teaching.

COURSE FORMAT: This class will meet twice weekly for four-hour sessions for five weeks. The format will be class lecture, discussion, and presentations by students. Students should come to class having read all materials.

REQUIRED READING:

Either the CEB, NRSV, or TNIV translation of the Old Testament, all sections of Former and Latter Prophets [500 pp.].

Arnold, B. T, and H. G. M. Williamson, eds. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. InterVarsity Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830817825, Pub. Price $60.00 [selected books & topics, 250 pp.].

Dempsey, Carol J. The Prophets: A Liberation-Critical Reading. Augsburg Fortress, 2000. ISBN: 978-0800631161, Pub. Price $23.00 [228 pp.].

Gowan, Donald G. Theology of the Prophetic Books: The Death and Resurrection of Israel. Westminster John Knox, 1998. ISBN: 978-0664256890, Pub. Price $30.00 [240 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Blenkinsopp, Joseph. A History of Prophecy in Israel. Revised and enlarged ed. Westminster John Knox, 1996. ISBN: 978-0664256395, Pub. Price $29.95.

Brenner, Athalya. Feminist Companion to Prophets and Daniel. Sheffield Academic Press, 2002. ISBN: 9781841271637, Pub. Price $34.95.

Clements, R. Old Testament Prophecy. Westminster John Knox, 1996. ISBN: 978-0664220822, Pub. Price $45.00.

Koch, K. The Prophets. Vols. 1-2. Fortress, 1982, 1984. ISBN: 978-0800616489 and ISNB: 978-0800617561, Pub. Price each $22.00.

Nelson, Richard. The Historical Books. Abingdon, 1998. ISBN: 978-0687008438, Pub. Price $22.00.

Newsome, J. D. The Hebrew Prophets. Westminster John Knox, 1984. ISBN: 978-0804201131, Pub. Price $30.00.

Petersen, David L. The Prophetic Literature. Westminster John Knox, 2002. ISBN: 978-0664254537, Pub. Price $30.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,000 pages of required reading with assigned homework. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [10%].

2. Student presentations on individual prophets incorporating reading of Dempsey and Gowan. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [35%].

3. Midterm exam on former prophetic (historical) books. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 and #3] [20%].

4. Second exam on latter prophetic books. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 2, 3, and 4] [35%].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Old Testament “B” (OTB).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, take home final.